Vehicle spring and mounting therefor



" DQT. .BROWNLEE VEHICLE IPRING AND r/fourvrlm` THEREFOR *,Filed Jan.27, 1922 V ATTORNEY? latented June v9, 1925.

narran''fs"ifaiol:SiI

, 1,54154'14 P'ATENT oFF-ICE.

"nannten lTj' BR-oivivnnn, o

r finira-Nereus, INDIANA.

i vfnili'ioiln srRI'iiG 'finnivionnriilie THVEREFVOR.

Appiictibn md January 27, 19.22. e serial Nataazio.

T all whom t muy cancelar: Y l

Be it li'nov-:n that l, Damian T. BROWN- Lnn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State ofindiana, have invented a new and useful Vehicle Sorn()r and `Mountin0freference more particularly to vehicles hav-y ing half-elliptic,three-quarter elliptic, or cantilever', springs. vThe invention relatesalsoto a development of the apparatus described in PatentNo. 1,364,701,granted to me January 4, 1921.' l f u Anobject'- of the invention is.to'provide improved springs and mountings therefor which shall' be ofsuchconstruction as to permit manufacture at small cost and yet estrong` and reliable. f f -k l Another object is to provide `improvedvehicle springs Vand lmouiitings therefor qwhich shall be so,constructed as toeffectually absorb shocksvandprevent the ,gbreake ingof springs on uneven or rough roads,

A further object isv to provide improved springs and mo'untings therefor`Which shall be' adapted for usein vthe construction of `motor vehiclesWithout lmat-serially changing readily. applied to existing vehiclesconveniently and Without material'alteration of ther l v .,p'ortionof:the spring supporting Aa-beam 5 spring mountings ofthe vveliicle.I

A still furtherobgect is to provi le spi-ring be of sucli constructionas to vpermit of -eX- Vtensive use of mercliaiitybariron or steel,y

or stampings, and comprising' parts which shall not requireexpensive"'machining; an F aim being to provide y'an efiicient shock ab#sorber which shall` act on; rough roads.' to prevent objectionablerebound yactioiiyand which shall be durable and economical in use.

jects in view, the invention consists in certain improved springinountings foivnioto'r vehicles, 'the mouiitings being" o-f lnovel and:

advantageous structure, incliidingnovel-g elements; and the inventionconsists-alsofurther in the parts and combinations and arstandardconstructionfand ivlvi-ieli may beA mountings for -ii'iotorveliicles'wvli-icli jshall'- With: the above-mentioned and l"other ob#Vrangements of parts asliereinafter particu- @larly described andfurther set forth in the appended claims. r Referring tothedrawingsf-Figure,=l is a; fragmentary front elevation of a popularV'type of i1iotoi-veliicle yand the improved 'spring' inountingsconnected therewith as illustrating one arrangemenit` of theinven-.tion'and its purposes; Fig,y 2 Ais acfragmeiitary front elevation ofthevehicle and .part-s rof-tliespring mountings in sectional eleva#.:tion;- Fig. 3 isa top plan ofthe .improved spring mounting separatefromthe vehicle; i-g.4 is la-fragmentary perspective view ofadvantageously constructed parts of `the .spring mountingsg'Fig is asectional .ele- -vation ,on an enlarged scale 'approximately on` thelineV-V in Fig. l; Fig. 6 -is-a sectional vievv ofone oftheparts of thestructure ofthespringinountings; and, Fig. 7 is rafragmentary sectional:elevation showing .details of the rebound control deviceon an enlargedscale. 1 -i l 1 f ,In the various figures of vthe'-drawings similarreference. characters: indicate elike elements orfeatures ofyconstruction herein referredfto indetailf t -i n fThe Well known motorvehiclezto V7Which ithesinvention! isapplied for ,descriptive purposesliasf/affonward axley l-endrcarrying Wheels;` 2, only one offivliich isshown, the .axle being provided `with Ispring penches 3, .one .ofWhich:is shown las beingsufficient llt-o, an` understanding :of the',invention; i the vehicle having a@ half-elliptic spring .4v whichhitherto/,has been supported fbynliiiks-L con- .,-neoted to thespi-inghperches, the middle :of the vehicle? body -or frame... Tlie'beam5v hasfdeiif'nward extendingflangesvv between1 which,theuspring isarrai-iged.. In it-lieaplplication bf... the invention :an: rauxiliaryhspring is arrangedabove:the sprin-gfpercli and supports'ztheend-ofthemainpring 4 `as Willbefurtlier explained,;-a`nd it-should bezunderstood.that the :invent-ion may: be .similarly applied to the rear spring ofthe vehicle-5 f practical embodiment yoftlieinvention includes a springvseat` 6 which: has Va guide f boss Z-oii its top andtwo'pivotfears fand95 entend-ing from: its lower portion; the' ears beingsui-tably spaced,apart: to :embrace the spring 1l perchi, 8 vto which the.` ears :are:connecteidby means of a pivot 10. 1 Preferably one of the ears has apin-hole 11 in WhichA a securing pin 12 is .inserted that extendsthrough the pivot, removably securing the pivot in place. A coil spring18 is seated at one end thereof on the spring seat 6. An improved hangeris provided which preferably comprises a head plate 14 having a guideflange 15 on its inner or under side that extends into the'opposite endof the spring, the plate 14 being supported upon the spring and havingtwo hanger portions 16 and 17 rigidly connected thereto and extendingfrom opposite sides thereof approximately to or beyond the plane of thespring seat. The hanger portions are provided with improved pivotbearings preferably comprising filling plates 18 and 18 arranged on theouter sides thereof respectively and lever side bars 19 and 20 arrangedon the outer sides of the filling plates respectively and connected toan end bar 2l, the side bars being secured rigidly to the filling platesand the hanger portions by means of rivets 22. The pivot bearings areprovided with bearing bushings 28 and 28 respectively, each bushinghaving an oil-way 24 in its upper portion. Each filling plate has a slot25 in its upper portion to constitute an oil box in which suitablepacking 26 is arranged. The spring seat 6 has a controlling arm` 27rigidly connected thereto, and the controlling arm has a relativelybroad head 28 thereon extending across the space between the side bars19 and 20, being connected to the bars by means of a pivot 29. Thehanger includes two springsupporting links 8O and 31 that as shown havepivot studs 82 and 88 which are rotatively arranged in the bushings ofthe coinpound pivot bearings above described, the links extendingdownward and inward each towards the other, the links having bosses 84and 85 which embrace the eye at the end of the spring 4 to which theyare connected by means of a pivot having a main portion 8G arranged inthe eye and relatively smaller )ortions 87 and 38 arranged in the bossesi C? respectively and suitably secured thereto.

The lever side bars 19 and 2O have relatively angular portions 89 and 40that extend each towards the other and have guide lips 4l and V42thereon respectively that embrace the forward and rearward portions ofthe main spring 4, the angular portions being higher than the top of thespring and having ears 43 and 44 that may i'est upon the spring 4 and bereceived between the flanges of the beam 5 when the spring is in action,the ears being connected to a rivet or axle pin 45 having a roller orthimble 46 thereon, which may be composed of hardened steel, to ridedirectly upon the spring 4. The side bars constructed as describedconstitute a compound guide arm and with the arm 27 a compoundshock-absorberlevei and also a controlling arm maintaining the coilspring in proper upright position or above the pivot of the spring seat.p

For controlling the rebound action of the springs a loop is providedwhich preferably comprises rods 47 and 48 connected to a cross-bar 49preferably having a hardenedsteel thimble 50 thereon that extends underthel axle of the vehicle, the rodsextending upward through bosses 51 and52 provided on the top of the head member 28, the inner sides of thebosses having recesses 58 and 54 therein respectively, the head memberhaving a post 55 thereon midway between the bosses. The rods of the loophave nuts 56 and 57 thereon respectively that are operated upon thebosses'to adjust the length of the loop. The head member 28 is providedwith improved means for preventing the nuts from turning and changingthe adl spring-metal plate midway between its ends to the post 55 sothat spring finger locks 59 and 60 are provided which extend from therivet to the adjacent or nearest sides of the nuts respectively and maybe sprung down into the recesses respectively to permit the nuts to beturned when required.

It should be understood that the spring mounting is not limited in useto the particular arrangement shown but may be applied in othersituations where the end of a leaf spring is arranged adjacent to aspring perch or equivalent device whereby to connect the spring with anaxle or a frame member of a vehicle, as when the spring is secured tothe axle.

ln practical use, the invention as describedand arranged insures steadycarrying of the vehicle body without severe shocks thereto, the actionof the spring 13 being supplementary to thc spring 4 to ordinarilyprevent the end of the spring 4 from being thrust upward violently asthe vehicle wheel rises on passing over' uneven roadways. lVhen thewheel suddenly rises the axle is thi'iist upward from the cross-bar 49and the shock is absorbe-d lirst by the spring 13 and then by the spring4. Then rebound occurs as the result of rapid movement of the vehicle onespecially vuneven ground, the middle of the main spring 4 is thrustupward, but it is checked by the loop engaging the bottom of the axle asthe longer arm of the sliock-absorber controlling lever is forced upwardpivotally by the rising lea-f spring, tliershorter ariii of the leverbeing yieldingly resisted by the coil spring.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A vehicle spring including a spring lseat having a pivot underneathit and 'havlspring seat, a yhanger supported upon the llO Iil)

ly iixed'" thereto,I and 'ai loop @connected substantially with the;controlling 'arm and the seat' having a pivot'underneath it and liav- Ifor 'comprisinga spring se'lathalving a 'pivot to support the seatandfhaving also a lating also a non-elastic lateral controlling armrigidly fixed thereon, acoil spring supported' upon the' seat, a `hangerlsupported uipon the 'coily spring'and having a non-l elastic guidearnirigidly fixed thereto, the Y guide arm having pivotal connectionintermediately of its ends withthe cont-rolling erin, and a iloopadjustably connected to the controlling arm. Y

A vehicle. spring :including a spring seat having a. pivot underneathita'nd having also awlateral 't controlling arin iixed` thereon, a. coilspringsupported upo-n theseat, a hanger supported uponthey coil springand having twoflianger portions, two

guide: portions rigi'dl-y secured to the hanger bars respectively andhaving connection with the controlling arm, a loop connected to thecontrolling arm and thereby with the guide bars, and two linkspivot-ally connected with the hanger bars respectively and! also withthe guide bars respectively.

4f. A vehicle spring including a spring seat to be pivotally supportedprovided with acontrolling arm rigidly fixed thereto, a coil springsupported upon the spring seat, a hanger seated upon the coil spring andprovided with la. shock absorber lever pivoted intermediately of itsopposite ends to the enfd portion of the controlling arm, the leverhaving two side bars rigidly lixed to the hanger and also a longer armprovided on its end with a roller, a loop connected to the controllingarm adjacent to the end thereof, and two links pivotally connected tothe hanger.

5. A vehicle spring including a spring scat to be pivotally siipportedprovided with a controlling arm rigidly iixed thereto, a coil springsupported upon the spring seat, a hanger seated upon the coil spring,two links having each a pivot stud rigidly iixed thereto, the studsbeing Connected with opposite sides of the hanger, a pivot boltconnected to the links to support a' leai spring,'and a lever pivotallyconnected be-v tween its opposite ends to the end of the controllingarm, the lever having an arin rigidly iixed to the hanger, and a longerarm adapted at `its end to have bearing upon the leaf spring.y

6. A vehicle spring and mountings therefor comprising a spring seathaving a pivot to support lthe seat and having also a controlling arinfixed thereon, a coil spring seated on the spring seat, a hangercomprising a plate and two hanger portions provided each with a guidearm having connection with the Controlling arm, the

plate of the hanger 'l being y seatedf on l the coil"spi'ing,"linksconnected to 'the l portions respectively, and afleaf'spri 'nected totlielinks' "and supporting the guide arms.

7. A vehicle" spring and "m'ountings thereei'al' arm l to control-yl'iivotal' :inoveinent of the seat, a coil'spring'seatedlon'thelspring sea-t, af "hanger l'comprising al head plate ind two'hangerportions havii'ig each'a guide arm Aztixed thereon, the "guide armsbeing connected together to yconstitute aleve the Ahead 'plate beingseated onthe coil spring, 'nieanspivotally 'connecting the lateral armto th'ef'grnde arms, linkspivote-ily 'connected tov the hanger portionsrespectively a leaf"springconnected tothe links supporting the'guidearms, anda'loop having two rods 'Connected' to the tlateralltar'm ofvthe spring'seat.`

8. In a vehicle spring, the combination with a. coil spring, and aspring seat on one end of the coil spring, of a hanger member seated onthe opposite enid; of the coil spring and having two@ guide arms fixedthereto, each arm having a relatively angular portion extending overtowards the other angular portion and provided with a guide lip=,reachof said angular portions having an ear thereon beyond the lip, the ears,being set over each towards the other and connectedl each with theother, and. links pivotally connected to the hanger' member. f i

9. In a vehicle spring, the combination with a spring seat having a.pivot, and a. coil spring on the spring seat, of a hanger comprising ahead plate and two hanger portions extending from the opposite sidesrespectively of the plate, the head plate being seated'on t-he coilspring and having a guide flange extending into the spring coil, eachhanger portion having a compound pivot bearing comprising a fillingplate and a siide bar secured to thehanger portion and a bearing bushingsecured therein, the filling 'plate having an oil-receptacle and thebushing having anY oilway therein, and links having pivots arranged insaid bushings respectively.

l0. In a. vehicle spring', the combination with a coil spring, of ahanger member seated on one end of the coil spring and having two guidearms fixed thereto, a spring seat on the opposite end of the coil springand having two pivot ears and also a controlling arm fixed thereto, thecon.- trolling arm having a relative-lyY broad head member thereon thatis pivoted to the two guide arms, the head member having two bossesthereon provided each with a recess, a loop having two rods extendingthrough the bosses, nuts on the rods and seatedI on llO the bossesrespective-ly, and two spring-iingers secured to the head member and eX-tending to; the nearer sides of said nuts to lock them in place, theends of the springfingers being movable into the recesses respectively.to release the nuts.

1l. The Combination With a vehicle axle, a leaf spring, and a coilspring, of a spring seat pivotally mounted substantially upon the axleand provided with a Controlling arm to limit the pivotal movementthereof, the coil spring being supported upon the spring seat, a hangersupported upon the coil spring and having eonneetion with the leaf.spring, a lever having two side bars pivotally connected with thecontrolling arm and rigidly secured to opposite portions of the hanger,the lever having also an arm portion integral with the side bars that isrelatively narrow at its end and has bearing leonaet upon the top of theleaf spring, and a loop loosely embracing the axle andi connected to thecontrolling arm to afford a fiilerum for the lever.

12. A vehicle spring including an axle and a pivoted support, a coilspring seated on the sup-port, a hanger seated on the Coil sprinO', aleaf spring connected at its end with the hanger, a compoundeontrolling,` arm having a shorter1 member rigidly connected to thepivoted support, and hinged to a longer member extending from the hangerand having bearing on the leaf spring, and means between the axle andthe hinged portion of the compound arm to limit the play of the springseat on its pivot.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DALMAR T. BROVNLEE.

Vvitnesses:

E. T. SILVIUS, ROBERT LIEBRICH.V

